Best known for his chairs and other seating pieces — though a master of many furniture types like sofas and tables — Hans Wegner was a prolific designer whose elegant, often ebullient, forms and devotion to the finest methods in joinery made "Danish Modern" a popular byword for stylish, well-made furniture in the mid-20th century.
Wegner considered himself a carpenter first and a furniture designer second. Like his peers Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Wegner believed that striking aesthetics in furniture were based on a foundation of practicality: a chair must be comfortable and sturdy before it is chic.
In keeping with that tenet, several of Hans Wegner’s best chair designs have their roots in traditional seating forms. The Peacock chair (designed in 1947) is a throne-like adaptation of the Windsor chair; pieces from the China chair series (begun in 1944) as well as the 1949 Wishbone chair, with its distinctive Y-shaped back splat, are derived from 17th-century Ming seating pieces, as is the upholstered Ox chair (1960). Wegner’s comfy Papa Bear chair (1951) is an almost surreally re-scaled English wingback chair.
Wegner’s most representative piece, the Round chair (1949), gained a footnote in political history when it was used on the TV stage of the first Kennedy-Nixon debate of 1960. That chair, along with Wegner’s more bravura designs — for example, the 1963 Shell chair, with its curved surfboard-shaped seat — bring a quietly sculptural presence to a room.
Wegner was a designer who revered his primary material — wood — and it shows. His wood gathers patina and character with age; every Hans Wegner piece testifies to the life it has led.
Find vintage Hans Wegner lounge chairs, armchairs, daybeds and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
$1,490 / set
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
Set of Two Dining Room Chairs in the Style of Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of high-backed slatted chairs from the 1960s. Filigree construction made of solid wood, probably teak, upholstered seat made of plywood with covers made of light-colored fabric....
Teak
Pair of Classic Hans Wegner Side Chairs in Oak
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of signed Hans Wegner side or dining chairs by C.M.Madsens, Denmark ca' 1950s. Oak with newly recaned seats. Comfortable and sculptural these chairs look beautiful from any an...
Oak
$843
H 33.86 in W 18.12 in D 17.33 in
2 of 4 Vintage Swedish Dining Chairs by Carl-Ewert Ekström Beech Wood 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
2 Chairs by Carl-Ewert Ekström Sweden Alb. Johansson & Söner, Hyssna 1960s A beautiful pair of original vintage dining chairs designed by Carl-Ewert Ekström in Sweden and manufac...
Fabric, Beech
2 Dining Chairs 1960s Germany
Located in Hannover, DE
Pair of vintage dining chairs from the 1960s. German origin. Unknown manufacturer. Displayed price is for a pair. Good vintage condition. Sturdy beech wood frame, refurbished an...
Teak
$3,408 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.87 in D 17.33 in
Hans Wegner, pair of Teak and leather dining chairs, model W2 for C.M. Madsen, 1
By Hans J. Wegner, C.M. Madsen
Located in Uppsala, SE
Pair of Teak and leather dining chairs, model W2, designed by Hans J. Wegner for C.M. Madsens Fabriker in Denmark in the 1960s. Both chairs have been beautifully restored with comple...
Leather, Teak
$14,150 / set
H 31.11 in W 21.26 in D 19.69 in
Hans Wegner Dining Chairs by Cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare dining chairs designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in Denmark.
Fabric, Oak
$1,450 / set
H 30.25 in W 18 in D 16 in
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Teak Chairs with Embroidered Floral Seats
Located in Freehold, NJ
This pair of Scandinavian modern style accent chairs features hardwood construction, original teak finish, and unique floral tapestries repurposed as seat coverings. Dimensions: 18w...
Upholstery, Teak
Set of 2 Midcentury Oak and Rush Armchairs, 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Set of 2 Mid Century Oak and Rush Armchairs, Europe, 1950s. A rare and wonderful set of 2 armchairs in solid oak with rush seats. These chairs are the pinnacle of untouched mid Cen...
Oak
$766 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
1960s, pair of Danish dining chairs, solid oak wood, furniture wool.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, pair of Danish dining chairs. Solid oak wood, furniture wool. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and stable construction. Manufactured by Danish furniture make...
Wool, Oak
"The Chair" Dining Chairs by Hans J. Wegner, Set of 2
Located in PARIS, FR
Hans J. Wegner is the undisputed master of the Danish chair. Born in Tønder in 1914, he trained as a cabinetmaker before studying at the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts, going o...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs in Chiarastella Cattana Altheas, Pair
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs by WITTMANN. Ebony stain. Newly upholstered in Chiarastella Cattana Altheas. Authentic Aus...
Beech
A Fine Pair of Antique George II Walnut Side Chairs
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A fine pair of George II walnut side chairs. Each with an imbricated shell carving at the hooped crestrail over a back splat with gadrooned scrollwork and diapered panel, flanked b...
Walnut
Vintage Pair of Yngve Ekstrom Circle Chairs Reupholstered in Zebra Hide
By Yngve Ekström
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
With colleagues like Aalto, Mathsson, Jacobsen and Kjaerholm, Yngve Ekström was part of the post-war modern movement that made the concept “Scandinavian Modern” world-famous. This is a very nice pair of white lacquered circle chairs designed by Ekstrom for Swedese, circa 1960. Fully restored and reupholstered in zebra hide, the timeless design would fit any modern design interior. Measure: 26in W x 24in D x 28in H x 17in SH. The Art of One of A Kind Furniture - Forsyth travels the world in search of breathtaking designs from auction houses, antique shops, and private collections. An amazing transformation begins when a collected piece arrives at the Forsyth studio. Old world furniture...
Zebra Hide
Vintage Josef Hoffmann Style Armchairs in Luigi Bevilacqua Tigre Velvet, Pair
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
In the style of Josef Hoffmann. One of a kind. These beautiful chairs have been reupholstered in Luigi Bevilacqua's world renowned Tigre Velvet. This exceptionally luxurious velvet is handmade on 18th century looms. About Luigi Bevilacqua Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua produces fine fabrics for furnishings and high fashion. Beautiful fabrics like velvets, damasks, lampases, brocatelles, and the most precious "soprarizzo" velvet, which is handmade on 18th century looms. The roots of the Bevilacqua family in the textile world date...
Velvet
Pierre Guariche Tonneau Dining Chairs in Stevie Howell "Reach" Fabric, Set of 6
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
From Artsy: Designer and architect Pierre Guariche was an important voice in the modernist movement of post-war France. Guariche is perhaps best known for his work with the Belgian firm Meurop, where he designed high-quality affordable furniture, specializing in chairs and multi-Directional, articulated lighting. His laminated plywood Tonneau chair (1954) for Steiner is a Classic of the era. We love this set. We wanted something modern and black and white to complement the simplicity of the Tonneau's shape and the black lacquer. Stevie Howell...
Bentwood
Vintage Restored Florence Knoll Armchairs in Pierre Frey Teddy Mohair
By Florence Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
These are so beautiful and so comfortable. We love the architectural lines and geometric profile of this iconic Florence Knoll design. This pair is an early example with the walnut l...
Mohair, Velvet, Walnut
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
